Sunday, January 31, 2010

. It is reported that the "agreement between Rifqa Bary and her parents to settle their conflict through counseling has ended without a single meeting between the parents and their daughter" and that the parents are “withdrawing their consent to resolve the case.”

On Jan. 19, the parents had agreed that Rifqa should stay in foster care and that they would all go to counseling together rather than go through a dependency trial.

However, the motion filed Friday in Franklin County Juvenile Court states; "The parents now believe the entire deal should be thrown out because of misrepresentation and fraudulent inducement." Apparently, despite their request, Rifqa, with the help of her attorney, had contacted the Pastor that had helped her run away.

Ok. I know how most everyone feels. But can I say just a couple things?

We can all make assumptions about the motivations of the Bary’s until the cows come home. But I don’t know them, and neither do most of you. Yes, it’s true that they are Muslims. Yes, it’s true that Sharia law is a very real danger. Yes, it’s true that the Bary’s have accepted help from CAIR and CAIR is a radical org tied to terrorism. But does that mean the Bary's would be willing to murder their daughter? None of us really know.

I am a conservative, evangelical Christian. I can understand Rifqa, but I can also commiserate with the Bary's. I have raised nine kids, and I, too, once had a 17-year-old runaway. She has since returned, lives nearby, and comes over almost every day, but I too, had to deal with other “Christian” families interfering - at a time when what I really needed was their support. They honestly thought they were helping her, but truthfully, they had no idea what was going on. They knew only the surface of my daughter – who had gone through four years with her father dying of cancer. We lost him when she was 16. Suffice it to say, these “well-meaning” people, in taking their ill-thought stance against the only parent she had left, did not help matters at all.

So, you say, “err on the side of safety for Rifqa.” Fine. But there are a couple of points I would like to make. They have to do with being Christian - meaning, Rifqa, being who she says she is. Those who aren’t Christian might not understand what I am trying to say. But those who are Christians know the following to be true. Being a Christian involves a heart for the lost and a desire to pursue God's purposes. It's not all about us.

Even if Rifqa never goes back to live with her parents, she, as a Christian, needs to honor them. She needs to treat them with love and respect. That's just a fact. By not communicating with them, but instead, communicating with the people in Florida, even calling the man down there “Dad,” she is tremendously hurting her father and she knows it. That’s not Christ-like, and I am appalled that the family in Florida is allowing it. (Although their church now seems be trying to honor the parents and court.)

But even further – and here is where it gets tricky – Rifqa has the potential to be the "Esther" in her family. Up until now, she has not fulfilled the opportunity God has given her to be a light to her parents - showing them the way out of Islam. I pray that the members of her Ohio church are counseling her Christian walk, acutely aware of her need to be a Godly witness to her family. Being a Christian isn’t all about getting what we want. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. Remember Jonah? We are to lay aside our own wants and take up the cross for others. There are verses I could quote, such as John 15:13 – but non-Christians might get their knickers all in a knot if I do.

As Christians, we are all called to bigger things. I pray we can all be brave enough to step up to the plate when God's call becomes clear.

I’m not saying that I know what God is calling Rifqa to. Although David honored Saul, and Daniel braved the Lion's Den, maybe God has called Rifqa to something else, shaking the dust from her sandal. God only knows what He has called Rifqa to. I don't know - I am just afraid that in all the cacophony of voices, and apparently not-so-good Christian counsel, she might not know, either. I pray that whatever He is asking of her, it becomes clear and she is willing.

And I’m not saying that taking up one’s cross is easy, if that is what is called for. I’m not saying that I wouldn’t want to run and hide if I were faced with what Rifqa is facing. All I am saying is; too often, we here in America forget what our faith is really all about.

I pray that God reveals to me exactly what He would have ME do, and I have the temerity and Grace to do it. Have you ever read “Safely Home” by Randy Alcorn? Wow. That’s a book that turns everything around. I highly recommend it..

They have never seen the ad. They have no real idea what it says. They just don’t want focus on the Family or the Tebow’s to be allowed to speak freely during the Super Bowl, in an ad fully paid for by Focus on the Family.

Let me make something perfectly clear to the anti-baby, anti-woman organizations currently attacking the Tebows:

You do not speak for me. Please don't pretend to speak for all women.

I look forward to seeing the Tebow ad during the Super Bowl, and fully support freedom of Speech for all individuals and organizations.

"Freedom of speech" is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and by many state constitutions and state and federal laws. It is not implied, assumed, or conveniently read into the wording. It's really there.

I oppose any use of public funds for these alleged women's organizations, especially in light of their efforts to deny other individuals and organizations the right to use private funds in communicating their message..

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

. Christian Father and Daughter in Egypt: "They try to Kill us."Muslim Violence and Persecutaion against Christians in Egypt is getting worse every month. They aren't allowed to hold Government office, women are being forced to marry and convert to Islam, and last month, 100 Christian teenagers were arrested for no other reason than being Christian. Please pray for the Coptic Christians in Egypt.

Monday, January 18, 2010

. Enough is enough. Christians from all Denominations and across all walks of life are coming together to oppose the progressive legislation that attacks human life, the week and vulnerable, and the family.

Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family.

They call this the "Manhattan Project" because Christian leaders met in Manhattan to discuss and begin this. Essentially, it calls us to civil disobedience if that is need be. It says -

"We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are:

1.the sanctity of human life2.the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife3.the rights of conscience and religious liberty.

Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled today to speak out forcefully in their defense, and to commit ourselves to honoring them fully no matter what pressures are brought upon us and our institutions to abandon or compromise them. We make this commitment not as partisans of any political group but as followers of Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

Sunday, January 17, 2010

.John 3:10-25 (NIV)10 "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things?11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony.12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven-the Son of Man.[a] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.[b]16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[c] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.[d]19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."[e]

1) Recognizing - Recognize that God Loves you so much that He gave His Son To die on the cross for you. "For God so Loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Realize that we have all fallen out of relationship with him because of sin. This isn't because God wanted it to be so; God did not send His Son to condemn the world, but to save it. Our falling out with God was because man had chosen to make it so. Our sin has separated us from God.

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. John 3:17-19

2) Confessing & Repenting - "All have sinned and fall Short of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23, and "the Wages of sin is death, but the Gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord" Romans 6:23

Our sins have separated us from God. "Unless you repent, you too will all perish" Luke 13:3The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Good News! Mark 1:15

"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God and I NEED YOU. I am a sinner and am so sorry for all that I have done. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me and give me the gift of eternal life. Please come in to my life and heart and be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always. Please help me to be in loving, obedient relationship with you. Thank you."

3) Receiving - Receive Jesus Christ in to your heart; ie Believe in Him as your Savior. This means that you accept God's offer of Love, Mercy, and Forgivness, and that you trust Jesus Christ as your only hope and Savior. Not government, not money, not power. Not 'good works,' church rituals, or social status. Not even your family, You rely totally on Jesus as your only hope for salvation."For by Grace you have been saved through faith - and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9"Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12

4) Restoration - Walking with Him. Confess Jesus Christ. Don't be ashamed to let others know you are a Christian and have a relationship with God. "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32 and "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."Romans 10:9

And Walk With Him. "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." John 15:4 Trust and Obey.

Pray: Talk to God Daily - or even hourly or minute to minute. Read: Take the Bible and use it as often as you can. Study. Fellowship: We need each other. Find a church. Worship: "Sing Praises to Him, all you peoples." Romans 15:11 (Christian Radio, too) Minister: Ministry & Missions are the heart beat of Jesus. "Go out into all the World and preach the Good News." Mark 16:15..